Water Use Efficiency Specialist/Analyst

Mesa Water•Costa Mesa, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) is now hiring a Water Use Efficiency Specialist / Analyst to help lead programs that shape how water is used across homes, businesses, and landscapes. This dynamic role blends technical analysis, customer engagement, and community education to deliver measurable results and support long-term water reliability. It’s an ideal opportunity for a driven professional who enjoys variety and wants their work to make a visible impact every day. The Water Use Efficiency Specialist position is an experienced para-professional role, exercising less independent discretion and judgment, with work usually supervised. Advancement to the Water Use Efficiency Analyst class is based on demonstrated proficiency. The Water Use Efficiency Analyst position is a highly experienced, professional-level role, working independently and exercising independent judgment and initiative. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and Analyst level positions are normally filled by advancement from the Specialist class.

Requirements

Water Use Efficiency Specialist Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work or specialized training in water utility sciences or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
Water Use Efficiency Specialist Experience: Two years of field experience in water utility operations that provides familiarity with domestic, commercial, and landscape water use efficiency techniques.
Water Use Efficiency Analyst Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in water conservation, environmental studies, resource management, water utility sciences or a related field.
Water Use Efficiency Analyst Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience implementing and administering water use efficiency programs. Experience in a government agency or water utility is desirable.
Knowledge of Principles, procedures, standards, practices, trends, techniques, and information sources in the field of water efficiency.
Knowledge of Landscape irrigation audit methods, procedures, and equipment.
Knowledge of Construction, design, and building principles related to plumbing systems and irrigation systems.
Knowledge of Basic research and statistical analysis methods.
Knowledge of Data collection and report preparation.
Knowledge of Pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations.
Knowledge of Application of ordinances, legislation, policies, standards, procedures, and historical practices associated with water use efficiency management.
Knowledge of State and regional organizations.
Knowledge of Methods and techniques for gathering, preparing, and disseminating information and outreach materials.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of contract administration and project management.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of effective customer service.
Knowledge of Principles and procedures of record keeping and filing.
Knowledge of Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to Perform a full range of responsible para-professional (Water Use Efficiency Specialist) or professional (Water Use Efficiency Analyst) duties in support of the District’s Water Use Efficiency program.
Ability to Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate assigned programs and projects.
Ability to Conduct and participate in technical projects and studies, including water efficiency studies.
Ability to Accurately assemble and interpret data applicable to water efficiency programs.
Ability to Develop and monitor contracts.
Ability to Understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Ability to Understand, interpret, and apply administrative and office policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances.
Ability to Effectively represent the District to outside individuals and agencies; respond to requests and inquiries from the public.
Ability to Identify research needs and exercise initiative in carrying out research assignments.
Ability to Perform water resource management and analyses, develop alternatives and make appropriate recommendations to relevant issues and problems.
Ability to Prepare and present oral presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to Prepare technical reports, correspondence, analytical studies, and other written materials.
Ability to Read and interpret plans and specifications.
Ability to Coordinate programs effectively with public and private agencies.
Ability to Implement water use efficiency programs.
Ability to Utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information to develop procedures and non-routine correspondence.
Ability to Analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards.
Ability to Compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy, and record and transcribe data and information.
Ability to Classify, compute, and tabulate data.
Ability to Advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
Ability to Perform mathematical calculations including percentages, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to Interpret descriptive statistical reports.
Ability to Use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
Ability to Exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria.
Ability to Accurately maintain and update manual and automated records and logs.
Ability to Develop and maintain electronic databases.
Ability to Enter data at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
Ability to Operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as a motor vehicle, computer terminal and other office equipment, and landscape measuring wheel.
Ability to Set-up catch-cans for irrigation test.
Ability to Install data loggers.
Ability to Prepare budgets and track program expenditures.
Ability to Operate standard office equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Nice To Haves

Designation as an Irrigation Association Certified Landscape Irrigator Auditor (CLIA) is desirable, but not required (for Specialist).
Experience in a government agency or water utility is desirable (for Analyst).

Responsibilities

Develops and implements cost-effective water use efficiency programs; tracks customer contact and program progress; reports on progress.
Coordinates the implementation of landscape water use efficiency programs consistent with current state/federal laws, develops printed materials and conducts customer workshops and events on water efficient landscape and irrigation system design; coordinates with the City of Costa Mesa and other public agencies.
Plans and presents landscape workshops; promotes water use efficiency and runoff reduction through public relations, educational speeches, and private contact; monitors and maintains the District’s demonstration gardens and various site landscapes.
Schedules and conducts audits/inspections for Mesa Water’s rebate program, which includes: verifying water use efficiency devices, conducting pre-turf & post-turf inspections, and other related tasks.
Administers the District’s Water Conservation Ordinance as necessary; answers questions related to compliance; engages with customers not in compliance with current requirements.
Creates, updates and implements the District’s Water Use Efficiency Plan; participates in the development of the District’s Urban Water Management Plan.
Gathers, analyzes, and interprets data and information related to water use; captures relevant data in system database; creates tables, queries, forms, and reports utilizing the database; prepares a variety of written reports, correspondence, records, and proposed regulations and procedures; use data to evaluate program effectiveness and develop recommendations for program modifications.
Identifies and evaluates water use efficiency measures and practices for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential customers; recommends incentives to alter water use practices including fixture and appliance retrofit programs; calculates cost/benefit analysis; evaluates and purchases devices for implementation.
Conducts water surveys, investigations, and evaluations of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers; assesses the efficiency of water use, particularly for landscape irrigation; provides recommendations on water usage and efficiency techniques, fixture and appliance retrofit, equipment improvements, and other methods of achieving more efficient water use.
Calculates water use for commercial irrigation customers in accordance with District guidelines and legal requirements.
Identifies, targets, and measures commercial irrigation accounts; interprets irrigation site plans; measures sites; calculates and updates site water use.
Utilizes database to determine account usage patterns; installs data loggers on water meters; downloads and evaluates data logger data; recommends changes based on data logger data.
Interacts with the public, property manager, landscape manager, staff, and outside agencies.
Schedules and conducts audits/inspections for landscape sites, both dedicated and mixed use, as appropriate.
Develops and maintains knowledge of proper plants and native landscapes for Southern California.
Develops and maintains knowledge of all irrigation systems and practices, including, but not limited to weather –based controllers and irrigation distribution systems.
Assists with the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of water use efficiency research projects and grants; assists in identifying and securing local, state and federal grant funding for water use efficiency programs.
Participates in representing the District on water use efficiency issues to committees, meetings, community groups, and the public; attends community events and engages with the public to share information about available rebates and water use efficiency program offerings.
Oversees the selection and evaluation of contractors providing professional and maintenance services for water use efficiency programs and projects.
Provides guidance to the landscape maintenance contractor regarding landscape projects at all District’s sites including the District’s water demonstration garden; adjusts all District irrigation clocks at various sites based on climate data; conducts soil analysis and observes landscape conditions and makes recommendations based on observations; provides customers detailed information about the District’s demonstration garden.
Assists in the development and monitoring of the Water Use Efficiency Program budget and expenditures.
Develops and maintains current knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations relating to water efficiency; reviews District practices for compliance with applicable policies, and recommends necessary program and policy modifications.
Provides current program information for the District’s web site, newsletters, social media content and collateral materials.
Assists with Public Affairs projects and programs when needed.
Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

Competitive Pay & Benefits
Strong compensation and benefits packages that are regularly evaluated to stay ahead of industry standards.
Supportive Work Culture
Fun, collaborative environment where meaningful relationships and teamwork thrive.
Meaningful Work
Direct way to give back to the community by helping ratepayers reduce costs, with the ability to see tangible, positive impacts firsthand.
Autonomy
High level of autonomy, allowing you to leverage your expertise to design, implement, and innovate new water use efficiency programs that make a meaningful impact for the District and the community.
New Education Center
Recently opened Education Center serves as a dynamic hub for water learning while also featuring a water-wise garden, positioning Mesa Water as a leading and innovative water provider in the region.
Employee-Centered Environment
Organization-wide engagement program reflects our deep commitment to keeping employees motivated, supported, and excited about their work.